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L o n e S t a r H i s t o r y |
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TESTIMONIALS Here's what parents, educators, administrators, students, and others have to say about Brian Burns, his music, and Once Upon A Time In Texas:
"Thanks so much for sending us a copy of
your CD, The Eagle &
The Snake, for our AR auction. I think that whoever wins
your
item is one of the luckiest kids in the world. Your music
inspired
me to learn more about Texas history. Now when our social
studies class is learning more about Texas, I try to participate
and listen very carefully. Since you have inspired me my
social
studies grade is 98%. Thanks for coming to Forest Trail and
thanks for the great donation. Keep writing the great music!
Your Biggest Fan, Ryan Carlisle" "I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know how much we have been enjoying your CD "The Eagle & The Snake." We purchased your (autographed) CD when you visited our school in Pilot Point recently. Since then, my 10 year old wants to listen to you every time we get into the car. Your music has sparked an interest in Texas history for him; we had to travel to San Antonio over spring break just to see the Alamo! Thanks for the great music....we'll be listening!" -- Carol Stanton (Parent) "Brian: I wanted to drop a line to say that it was nice meeting you, and to let you know how much I enjoyed your performance at Dawson Middle School. Mike (my son) tells me it is the buzz of the campus, and I expect it will continue to be so for a good while. I look forward to seeing you (and hearing you) in the near future." -- Michael Eaton (Parent) "I am writing to thank you for your program on May 13 at my children’s school, Rann Elementary, in Decatur, Texas. I listen to your CD, The Eagle & The Snake, in my truck, and enjoy the tributes to our state’s history. I grew up enthralled with Texas history(and still am) and want my children to have the same appreciation and interest in our heritage. My son, Travis, and oldest daughter, Jessica, really were excited about your performance and asked to hear several of the songs on your CD, as well as asking questions about the events they depict. Thank-you once again for taking the time to perform for our children and pass on the pride you have for our State. I’m awaiting your next CD." -- Doug Kyle (Parent) "I felt that I must e-mail you to thank you for
helping me get an "A" on my debate poem project. You see,
I am on the debate team at my high school and we have one type
of debate called "Pro's and Poetry". In this type of
debate, you must use your interpretational skills to perform a
poetry reading for the judges. As long as the work you use
has been published, they do not mind whether you use a poem or a
song. The theme for this spring's debate happened to be
history. I was SO excited when I found this out because I
knew from the start what I was going to choose for mine.
So, of course, I chose two of your songs from "The Eagle And The
Snake". The songs I chose were "Goliad" and "The Crash At
Crush". I used as much emotion as I had always seen you
use when you performed these songs and I even SANG the chorus of
"The Crash At Crush". My debate coach was amazed and said
that the "feeling, depth and history of the lyrics were
absolutely breathtaking". She thought my interpretation was
wonderful and gave me an "A" that I am now so grateful to you
for.
Thank you for all of your beautiful music
and lyrics, Brian. Hearing it never fails to bring a smile
to my face.
Love Always,
Sharon Rehder"
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"Greetings from the Town and Country Coffeehouse.
Just before school was out I attended the "memories" ceremony at
Heritage Elementary school here in Highland Village. My son Austin
Nelson was a proud graduate the year. As the children walked
across the stage, their teacher read their favorite memories from each
grade level. You would have been proud to hear how many of those
children remembered your presentation to their class as their favorite
memory of the 4th grade." Keep up the good work. Blessings and Light, Kim McKibben
"Your song was more helpful to my research paper than just a jumping off point. I ended up incorporating every lyric into my paper and using the flow of the song to explain the crash. So thank you so much... it was more helpful than I can say. And I got an 'A' on my paper! I'll attach the essay with this email. I hope you enjoy it and are able learn a little more about the crash. Also, hopefully my dad and I can come hear you live sometime! Thank you SO much!!" -- Carrie Oliver (Student - Baylor University)
"hi we are
kids from birmingham elementary. you were there at 2:00 tuesday. we
really like your music. we think we want your cd bad!
your friends,
laykin and Ariel"
"On February 9, 2004 Blalack 7th graders were treated to a performance by Texas singer/songwriter, Brian Burns. Mr. Burns performed songs from his The Eagle & The Snake: Songs of The Texians as well as two new songs from his soon to be released Heavy Weather. Thank you Brian Burns for your dedication to helping young Texans better understand their magnificent history and best of luck to you as you head towards Heavy Weather!" -- Danny Trout (Texas History Teacher) "The Eagle & The Snake: Songs Of The Texians comes forth with the flavor of a South Texas Cowboy drifting through time. Not only does Brian enhance the listener's pleasure with his obvious love of music, he manages to authenticate the feel of the eras of time in which these journeys take place. Well done, Amigo!" -- Mark Akins (Music Critic) "The Eagle & The Snake: Songs Of The Texians is one of the strongest Western-based recordings I have heard in years; takes me back to the classic material which inspired so much of my own writing. This should be required listening in Texas history classrooms...ah, hell, it should be required listening in classrooms, honky-tonks, radio stations, and theatres all over the world! -- Tom Russell (American Folk Singer/Songwriter/Recording Artist) "Thank you again for you wonderful performance! We enjoyed it SO MUCH and it fit perfectly with what we are learning in our classrooms at this time. We appreciate your coming to Snyder!" -- Terri Collins (Teacher)
"I just wanted to let you know
that my fourth grade daughter, Sarai, came home singing your
song over and over today. She was extremely excited to have
you at her school. Thank you so much for devoting your time
to spend with our children. I hope they all remember this
day in years to come!" -- Keri Lewis (Parent)
"We've had Brian on campus for
the past two years. He is an excellent singer, a
down-to-earth person, and does an excellent job. We
use him for our Texas History classes, and my clientele love
him. The PTA paid for him for the both years." -- Ben
Rambo (Principal)
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"Just dropping you a note to let you know how much the
kids enjoyed your show, at both campuses. After you left yesterday, our
kids were buzzing, singing, and laughing in the hallways. They really
needed that. One teacher came up to me and said our little ESL kids from
Mexico were walking down the hall singing "I've Been Everywhere"...
These are the same kids that we rarely even get to say "Hello" in
English. I'm forwarding you some comments that were sent to me..."
-- Brandy Whitefield (Teacher) "Friday's assembly went great! Thank you so much
for coming to Crockett and performing for us. I really enjoyed
your original songs about the history of Texas, especially how you
augmented the stories by narrating and asking questions between songs.
You are a showman. You're right, music really does keep their interest.
Plus, your voice is so resonant and pleasant to listen to. You have a
special gift. I hope to have you again." -- Viki Hicks (Teacher) "On behalf of Tom Bean Elementary, I would like to graciously thank you for coming to our school. Your performance was wonderful. Our kids and faculty loved it!!!! Your talent is mesmerizing. Brian, you may not feel like a "STAR RECORDING ARTIST", but in the eyes of our kids you truly are one. From the historical aspect of your performance, your songs are very heart wrenching and very relevant to the rich past of our GREAT STATE, TEXAS!!! Good luck to you and we hope to see you again! I have attached some pictures from your performance. Feel free to use them as you wish. Shortly (a day or two) after your performance here, we received an e-mail from a fourth grade teacher at Coppell asking us our opinion of your show. Of course, we couldn't brag on you enough!!! My sons, Shawn and Travis, send a special thanks to you for taking a picture with them. It meant a lot to them." -- Patrice Counts (Teacher) "I am glad to say that Mr. Burns provided a wonderful program for our entire 7th grade class. He is an excellent musician and songwriter. The students (as well as the adults) learned many facts about Texas history through his musical presentation. Also, he was inclusive of the the different cultures of Texas, and this was especially nice as we are 70% minority. Our students received him well, and he had all of them singing "Pico de Gallo." I recommend his program without hesitation." -- Debby Millican (Teacher)
"We really enjoyed having Brian at school. So many of the staff
have mentioned how good he was and that they told their children
that they had seen him. Many of their kids were furious that they
didn't get autographs for them. They knew Brian and keep up with
him. They just couldn't believe that he was at our school. One of
my students (3rd grader) came up to me after the program and wanted
to know if I had a book about the "Crash at Crush". He wanted to
read more about it, and he was serious. So we went to the internet
and got some info on it. There were some bibliography references
for him to look in the library for books. Brian was really good
with the kids. He knew exactly how to get the attention of the 650
kids in that room. At times you could hear a pin drop. Other
times, when he let them know it was okay, they were a roudy group
with clapping and singing. It was fun. The principals (Patti
Mercer & Kim Otto) both agreed that he was well worth the money.
Glad he enjoyed it." -- Toni Collins (Teacher)
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